COMPANY NEWS: A Loss of Face; Barbie's Overseas Rival Must Change Her Look

Published: December 23, 1992

LONDON, Dec. 22—
Hasbro Inc. ordered plastic surgery for its European fashion doll today to end a lawsuit from Mattel Inc., maker of the Barbie doll.

The world's biggest toy maker, Hasbro, of Pawtucket, R.I., agreed to alter the facial features of its Sindy doll, which Mattel said closely resembled her rival from across the Atlantic.

Mattel, the No. 2 toy maker, which is based in El Segundo, Calif., was threatening Hasbro with a multimillion-dollar showdown in Britain's High Court. The case was scheduled to get under way next month.

"Hasbro has remodeled the head of Sindy in a way which Mattel and Hasbro have agreed is acceptable," the two companies said in a joint statement.

"As a result, Mattel has agreed to drop all outstanding lawsuits relating to Sindy and Barbie around the world. Each party will be responsible for its own costs."

A French court earlier this year found for Mattel in a similar action, ruling that Sindy violated Mattel's Barbie copyright and ordering the seizure of Sindy dolls from a local distributor.